• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Cholesterol Code Survey

Hi all
I did the survey as well, but a word of warning before you start - the survey expects you to know your triglyceride numbers. These are no longer given in the normal blood tests on the NHS, they rely on the non-HDL and TC/HDL ratio. Unfortunately, though these are good indicators, you can't calculate your trigs from these. I found a good website,
https://www.docsopinion.com/2014/07/17/triglyceride-hdl-ratio/
where these things are discussed.
An interesting observation from the source follows.
Recently, analysing the number of LDL particles (LDL-P) and LDL particle size has become increasingly common. However, this method is not universally available, is expensive, and has not been widely applied in clinical practice.
High numbers of small, dense LDL particles are associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease in prospective epidemiologic studies. Subjects with small, dense particles (phenotype B) are at higher risk than those with larger, more buoyant LDL particles (phenotype A).
Interestingly, it has been found that the TG/HDL-C ratio can predict particle size. One study found that 79% of individuals with a ratio above 3.8 had a preponderance of small dense LDL particles, whereas 81% of those with a ratio below 3.8 had a preponderance of large buoyant particles.​
So I will be trying to get my trigs measured next time I have a blood test rather than relying on the TC/HDL ratio, which Prof Sikaris says is a better measure of trigs than trigs themselves, because trigs are so variable.
 
LDL is usually calculated by the Friedwald formula in the UK which is inaccurate if ones trigs are low or high. Since my trigs are 0.8 and HDL 1.9 I prefer to use the more sophisticated Iranian formula which in this case gives more accurate results....and lower LDL! :)
D.
 
BrianTheElder said:
the survey expects you to know your triglyceride numbers. These are no longer given in the normal blood tests on the NHS, they rely on the non-HDL and TC/HDL ratio.
Click to expand...

I still have a full lipid panel done including triglycerides. My surgery still does them as a matter of routine, and the lab calculates the ratios. Also, if you know the total, the HDL and the LDL, you can work them out for yourself. The problem is if you also don't get the LDL.
 
lindisfel said:
LDL is usually calculated by the Friedwald formula in the UK which is inaccurate if ones trigs are low or high. Since my trigs are 0.8 and HDL 1.9 I prefer to use the more sophisticated Iranian formula which in this case gives more accurate results....and lower LDL! :)
D.
Click to expand...

My trigs are 0.6 and my HDL is 2.7. LDL is 3.7.
How do I calculate the Iranian formula?

I used the tool on Dave Feldman's blog http://cholesterolcode.com/report/

It showed my Friedewald LDL as 140 and Iranian as 110. Are these mg/dl measurements or something else?

Happily it shows all my markers as low risk
 
Bluetit1802 said:
My trigs are 0.6 and my HDL is 2.7. LDL is 3.7.
How do I calculate the Iranian formula?

I used the tool on Dave Feldman's blog http://cholesterolcode.com/report/

It showed my Friedewald LDL as 140 and Iranian as 110. Are these mg/dl measurements or something else?

Happily it shows all my markers as low risk
Click to expand...
Hi Blue tit,
I'll post the link to the formula when I am on my computer. I am dead usless with a smartphone.:)
There is a conversion factor to convert the lipids and its a different one for the trigs.
The formula uses the American units then you just have to convert back to get it in our units.
My LDL was 4.5 by the Friedwald and 4.0 by the Iranian.
Why they don't measure LDL in the UK is anybodies guess? I suppose it's the cost!
What really matters is the particle count so they should measure LDLp, but they won't , it's too expensive.
A good rule of thumb for having the right kind of LDL is the kind of profile like your great panel!!
ATB
Derek
 
Hi Blue tit,
Iranian formula below.

lindisfel said:
Hi Blue tit,
I'll post the link to the formula when I am on my computer. I am dead usless with a smartphone.:)
There is a conversion factor to convert the lipids and its a different one for the trigs.
The formula uses the American units then you just have to convert back to get it in our units.
My LDL was 4.5 by the Friedwald and 4.0 by the Iranian.
Why they don't measure LDL in the UK is anybodies guess? I suppose it's the cost!
What really matters is the particle count so they should measure LDLp, but they won't , it's too expensive.
A good rule of thumb for having the right kind of LDL is the kind of profile like your great panel!!
ATB
Derek
Click to expand...



Iranian formula in USA units.
Total C/1.19 + Trigs/1.9 - HDL/1.1 - 38
My HDL was 1.9 in mmols hence 1.9 x 38.67 = 73.5
My Trigs 0.8 = 0.8 x 88.57= 70.9
My Total 6.8= 6.8 x 38.67= 263

Putting in formula
263/1.19 + 70.9/1.9 - 73.5/1.1 - 38 = LDL
221 + 37.3 - 66.8 - 38= 153.5
In mmols= 153.5/38.67= 3.99 LDL

Was 4.5 by less accurate Friedwald formula as calculated by lab.
Derek
 
Last edited:
lindisfel said:
Hi Blue tit,
Iranian formula below.





Iranian formula in USA units.
Total C/1.19 + Trigs/1.9 - HDL/1.1 - 38
My HDL was 1.9 in mmols hence 1.9 x 38.67 = 73.5
My Trigs 0.8 = 0.8 x 88.57= 70.9
My Total 6.8= 6.8 x 38.67= 263

Putting in formula
263/1.19 + 70.9/1.9 - 73.5/1.1 - 38 = LDL
221 + 37.3 - 66.8 - 38= 153.5
In mmols= 153.5/38.67= 3.99 LDL

Was 4.5 by less accurate Friedwald formula as calculated by lab.
Derek
Click to expand...

Thanks Derek. I will have a good look at this when I'm back from holiday.
 
Back
Top